Tips for Efficient Screen Captures

One of the greatest challenges for many software localization projects is the creation of thousands of screen captures for documentation.

When developing your U.S. documentation containing screen captures and creating your localization plan, you can massively increase efficiency and reduce costs by taking the following steps:

Step 1

Minimize the number of screen captures in documentation, realizing each screen represents an additional cost for all target languages.

Step 2

Create and provide a full set of sample data in the source language so it may be translated initially and need not be manually recreated during the screen capture process.

Step 3

Set up separate testing and screen capture environments for each language so that language-specific data are not comingled, allowing each screen to show both user interface elements and sample data solely in the target language.

Step 4

Provide instructions to find or recreate particularly complex or esoteric screens, noting any prerequisite steps that must be followed to reach a complete screen image.

Step 5

Provide training on the application to the screen capture artists, or enlist testers familiar with the application's structure to take the screen captures.

Step 6

Create detailed instructions describing screen capture settings, including resolution, size, file format, file compression, color depth, and borders. These instructions should also detail the operating system version and configuration (such as the application of non-standard themes and appearance settings).

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